The Virtues of Objectivism: A Weekend Seminar
in the Theory and Practice of Rational Selfishness
William Thomas, M.A.
Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, 9am to 4:30pm each day.
Seminar location:
How to Book:
You can pay for the conference with your credit card by clicking on the link below, this will take you to The Objectivist Center website. The cost of the conference for the whole weekend before 24 October, is US dollars at $227. After 24 October it costs $295.
Here is the registration site URL:
http://www.objectivismstore.com/c-46-event-registration.aspx
You can also go to www.objectivismstore.com and click on Event Registration down at the bottom right, and go from there.
If you prefer to pay via cheque or postal order, please make your cheque for £127 before October 24, or £169 after October 24, payable to Miss F J Hill and post it with your full name and address to:
18A Longstone Rise
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1ED
Fran Hill
Conference Organiser
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“’Value’ is
that which one acts to gain and keep,” wrote Ayn Rand, “’virtue’ is the action
by which one gains and keeps it.” This seminar focuses on the distinctive
virtues advocated by Objectivism: their basis in fact, their contrast with
traditional moral ideals, and their role in a rational, value-seeking human
life. We will go into depth on the meaning and importance of Pride, Rationality, Honesty, Integrity, Productiveness,
Each session includes a lecture followed by an ample discussion period, giving seminar participants a chance to reflect on and chew over the ideas they are hearing about. Discussions will focus on practical applications of these virtues.
Saturday,
November 19, 2005
9:00am–9:15am Registration
9:20am Introduction
9:25–10:40am Lecture 1
and Discussion - “Pride”
Pride and the distinctive Objectivist approach to morality. Topics include: Valuing one’s own life; developing objective self-esteem and a commitment of self-improvement.
10:50am–12:20pm Lecture 2 and Discussion - “Rationality and Honesty”
Rationality as the prime virtue and onesty as a crucial practical implementation of it. Topics include: the cardinal value of reason; the nature of deception and evasion; objectivity and integration as practices that guard against vices of bias, emotionalism, rationalism, and repression.
12:30pm–2:00pm Lunch break
2:00pm–3:15pm Lecture 3 and Discussion - “Integrity”
Integrity as the virtue of being virtuous and holding true to one’s values. Topics include: courage and confidence; the role of principles in human thought and action; principled action as against duty and pragmatism; moral character: how it is acquired and lost; living a life of unified value and action, thought and feeling.
3:30pm–4:15pm Lecture 4 and Discussion - “Productiveness”
Productiveness and taking responsibility for one’s values. Topics include: Objectivism vs. Christianity on the values of work and charity; productive work as the central value in life; thrift, industry and creativity; taking charge of one’s life and goals.
4:15pm–4:30pm Day 1 Wrap up.
Break for dinner and
evening.
Optional: Libertarian
Saturday 19
November, 8.00pm-11.00pm, at The
National Liberal Club,
(nexzt door to the Royal Horseguards Hotel) Please note: banquet bookings MUST be made in advance. NO banquet bookings can be made on the day.
*Guest of
Honour: Stephen Pollard, leading
*The presentation of the Libertarian Alliance's "Liberty Awards" for
2005, including The First International Ayn Rand Award
*
The Annual
*
*
*
*Dead Liberties - to be announced
*The First International Ayn Rand Award: Dr. Chris Sciabarra
To book this banquet: Please go to: http//www.libertarian.co.uk/conf05.htm
Sunday,
November 20, 2005
9:00am–10:30am
Lecture 5 and discussion - “
Productiveness applied to social relations. Topics include: intellectual independence and thinking for oneself; existential independence; the principle of trade as the model for dealing with others; generosity, sensitivity, and courtesy as investments in friendships and good social relations.
10:45–12:15
Lecture 6 and Discussion - “Justice ”
Rationality applied to social relations. The crucial virtue of assessing and responding to values and threats in others. Topics include: the impotence of evil, the theory of moral and existential sanction; justice versus toleration and moral hysteria; putting justice into practice.
12:20–1:50 Lunch Break
2:00–3:30:
Lecture 7 and discussion - “Virtues of
Selfishness”
Back to the beginning from a new perspective: expanding on pride as the cardinal virtue associated with self-esteem. Topics include: self-esteem and the cardinal value of self more generally; practices of self-awareness, self-care, self-assertiveness, and self-enhancement.
3: 45–4:15 Closing statement: Putting it all together and into action in work, friendships, family, and other vital areas of life.
About the Speaker
William Thomas is Director of Programs at
The Objectivist Center and the Atlas Society. He is the editor of The Literary Art of Ayn Rand, the author
of Radical for Capitalism, and his
introductory course on